The Government of Canada Releases Report of the Iacobucci Internal Inquiry

In a 544-page report, a federal internal inquiry led by former Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci found that certain actions of Canadian officials indirectly contributed to the torture of three Arab-Canadian men in Syria and (one of the three) in Egypt. John Laskin was lead counsel and John Terry was co-lead counsel to the inquiry. Jennifer Conroy and Sarah Huggins were counsel.

Mr. Iacobucci was appointed in 2006 to determine whether actions of Canadian officials played any role in the detention and any mistreatment of Canadian citizens Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad Abou-Elmaati and Muayyed Nureddin in Syria and Egypt during the period 2001 to 2004, to assess whether any actions that could be linked to their detention or any mistreatment were deficient in the circumstances, and to assess the actions taken to provide them with consular services while they were detained.

Mr. Iacobucci found no evidence that any officials of CSIS, the RCMP or DFAIT were doing anything other than seeking to carry out conscientiously the duties and responsibilities of these institutions. However, he found that certain actions of CSIS and the RCMP contributed indirectly to the detention of two of the three men, and to the torture of all three of them. He also found certain deficiencies on the part of DFAIT in the provision of consular services.

Further information can be found in the following media coverage:

Torture Report Urges Ottawa to Better Protect Rights in The Globe and Mail

Federal Officials Contributed Indirectly to Torture of Canadians on CBC.ca

Torture Victims Want Apology After Report Cites 'Indirect' Canadian Role in National Post